Catherine Ann Carter

She was born in January of 1924 at her family’s farmhouse in Alvin, IL, the daughter of the late John Leslie and Irma Carter.

Catherine earned an AA in Home Economics from Blackburn College in Carlinville, a BS in Home Economics from Illinois State University in Normal, an MS in Home Economics Education from the University of Illinois in Champaign and did graduate work at the University of Colorado. After teaching Home Economics in Warren, Bismarck and Farmer City, she spent the rest of her career with the Illinois State Board of Education as Consultant and State Advisor to Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA, formerly FHA-HERO) and received the Distinguished Service Award for her service in Home Economics and FHA-HERO.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Springfield, where she was active with the numerous committees, the bell choir and the IBT Sunday school class. Outside of work and church, she volunteered at Memorial Medical Center, held numerous volunteer leadership positions with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), FHA-HERO, 4H and PEO Chapter LR. She traveled extensively, loved playing bridge, watching sports and socializing.

She is survived by her nephew Stewart Alison of Bonduel, WI; her niece Celeste (husband Sean) Heather of Alexandria, VA; her brother-in-law, Mark Alison of Woodstock, IL; and 2 grand-nephews, Justin John Alison and William Stuart Heather. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Louise Carter Alison.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9:30 am until time of the funeral service at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church, 2941 S. Koke Mill Road, Springfield. Per her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded after the services. Inurnment will be at Manns Chapel Cemetery in Rossville, IL at a later date.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Springfield (springfieldfirst.org), PEO Chapter LR or the Illinois Foundation for FCCLA (ilfccla.org).

Please visit the online obituary at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.